Who Is The 'AI Kid Of India'? He Built His First Robot At 12, Now He's Training 1.5 Lakh Students

Last Updated:February 20, 2026, 15:46 IST

The 'AI Kid of India', who met Antonio Guterres at Delhi's AI Impact Summit, has founded AI Realm Technologies, created MeBot, and trained over 1.5 lakh students

16-year-old Raul John Aju, widely known as the ‘AI Kid of India‘, emerged as one of the most talked-about participants at the India AI Impact Summit in Delhi, where he also met United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Calling the interaction a “very special experience", Raul said he was invited in recognition of his work in artificial intelligence (AI) and his efforts to train students and professionals in the field.

According to the young innovator, he has trained nearly 1.5 lakh students and worked with several companies on AI education so far. Largely self-taught, Raul credits online platforms such as YouTube and consistent support from his parents for shaping his learning journey.

His tryst with artificial intelligence began early. At the age of 12, he built his first robot using basic materials. In the years that followed, he founded AI Realm Technologies, a company that focuses on AI education and innovation. He has since conducted sessions at premier institutions such as IIT Madras and at global technology firms including Google, apart from engaging with international tech companies across the UAE, the United States and the United Kingdom.

Among his notable creations is ‘MeBot’, a robot designed to teach AI to children in simple language. Built on Jetson Nano technology, the robot speaks in Raul’s voice and replicates his teaching style. “It’s like my clone," he remarked in a lighter vein, explaining that the device can continue educating students even when he is unavailable.

At a recent event in Mumbai, Raul broke down the concept of AI for young audiences, describing it as the technology behind everyday tools such as auto-correct and YouTube recommendations. “AI predicts what the next word or step will be," he explained, while cautioning that it does not think or understand like humans. If trained on flawed data, it can generate incorrect outputs, a phenomenon widely referred to as AI “hallucination".

He also highlighted the environmental cost of large AI systems, noting that they consume significant amounts of electricity. Advocating responsible innovation, Raul said AI solutions should be developed according to specific needs rather than scale for its own sake.

On the future of work, the teenager struck a pragmatic note. “AI won’t replace you, but the person who uses AI well will move ahead," he said. In his view, careers requiring management skills, creative thinking and human empathy will gain prominence, as machines are better suited to repetitive tasks.

Beyond technology, Raul has been vocal about reforming education. He believes learning must move beyond rote memorisation and encourage curiosity-driven exploration and experimentation. Citing data that around eight per cent of suicide cases in India are linked to academic stress, he underscored the urgent need to reduce pressure on students.

Despite reportedly running a company valued at Rs 1,700 crore, Raul continues to attend school, choosing to balance entrepreneurship with a “normal" teenage life alongside friends.

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